Sacramento State is taking steps to ban smoking on campus.

The new policy would ban tobacco use on campus beginning with the Fall 2015 semester. The goal is to promote health and wellness.

A campus group – formed by students in a communications class about how to run public relations campaigns – is being credited for helping nudge the university to take a closer look at a ban. The Hornets for Healthy Hive campaign provided school officials with research and recommendations for a tobacco-free policy.

According to The State Hornet, a survey conducted in Spring 2013 showed 70 percent of students prefer a tobacco-free university.

In a statement, Gonzalez said the policy is the result of input from various groups on campus.

I appreciate the students, faculty and staff who have worked on this issue, and I look forward to working with the campus community to ensure the healthiest environment possible at Sacramento State.